Yesterday I was at What's in Store across the street from the office when I came across a piece I've been seeking for about a year now: a pretty (and reasonably priced!) double handled soup bowl and saucer. I'm calling it a "soup bowl," by the way, although I've also read that these double handled pieces were used for sipping hot chocolate. At any rate, many times over the years I have passed by such pieces, looking strictly for single handled teacups, only to realize later it would be so lovely to have a pretty cup for serving up soup, whether for myself or as a first course at teatime.
This one is Austrian, handpainted and from M&Z, according to the elegant green backstamp. I like that I'm not on a mission to find these types of soup bowls, perfectly content to come across one I like every once in a blue moon. (Do you have anything that you "sort of" are looking for? Something that it's OK if you find it and OK if you don't?)
I'm envisioning a pretty chilled strawberry or cucumber soup in the bowl when warm weather returns, but last night it was serving up meatless minestrone, which doesn't really suit it at all but that's what I had! It was a recipe I auditioned in preparation for my entry in next week's Soup-Off at the office. We have a lot of great cooks, and my co-workers seem to have some pretty sophisticated palates, so I can't just slap some vegetable soup in my crockpot and expect to win. The minestrone was good, but I'm not sure it's The One. What would you enter? Do you have a favorite, impress-the-guests kind of soup? I would LOVE some advice!
Yesterday I was at What's in Store across the street from the office when I came across a piece I've been seeking for about a year now: a pretty (and reasonably priced!) double handled soup bowl and saucer. I'm calling it a "soup bowl," by the way, although I've also read that these double handled pieces were used for sipping hot chocolate. At any rate, many times over the years I have passed by such pieces, looking strictly for single handled teacups, only to realize later it would be so lovely to have a pretty cup for serving up soup, whether for myself or as a first course at teatime.
This one is Austrian, handpainted and from M&Z, according to the elegant green backstamp. I like that I'm not on a mission to find these types of soup bowls, perfectly content to come across one I like every once in a blue moon. (Do you have anything that you "sort of" are looking for? Something that it's OK if you find it and OK if you don't?)
I'm envisioning a pretty chilled strawberry or cucumber soup in the bowl when warm weather returns, but last night it was serving up meatless minestrone, which doesn't really suit it at all but that's what I had! It was a recipe I auditioned in preparation for my entry in next week's Soup-Off at the office. We have a lot of great cooks, and my co-workers seem to have some pretty sophisticated palates, so I can't just slap some vegetable soup in my crockpot and expect to win. The minestrone was good, but I'm not sure it's The One. What would you enter? Do you have a favorite, impress-the-guests kind of soup? I would LOVE some advice!
What a lovely find ! You do not see those very often! Raises soup to a new level !
ReplyDeleteAngela, that is such a beautiful soup bowl. It would look so pretty at a tea. I like the idea and will be on the look out for some for my ever-growing-- *things I buy because of "tea" * LOL
ReplyDeleteRegarding the soup recipes, I always get rave reviews when I cook Giada's pasta fagoli and lentil soup. I don't know if you are able to take her recipe and then personalize it since it is a contest. Those are my two favorites. Judging from the pictures you take of the food you prepare, I think the other contestants should be worried. Good luck to you!
How lovely is that!! Wild rice and mushroom, oh my!!!! Trader Joe's i hear has JUST wild rice. I was unable to find ANY with Just wild rice here in Newnan. Mercy, that is a fine soup!!!Hope ya win!! tammyp
ReplyDeleteLove the soup bowl & you could probably put mud in it and it would look gorgeous! I am "kinda" on the look out for white "Pots de'Cream" bowls (small pudding pots)so if you see them anywhere you have my number. LOL!
ReplyDeleteFor soup? Hmm, let me see, I think to impress, I would try a thick, rich lobster bisque. I made it once a long time ago, but I'd need to work on a recipe for a while (since I have no idea where mine is) before trying it out for competition- good luck on yours!
What a beautiful soup bowl. I have a really good mushroom soup recipe, that I love. And I also love French onion soup with the slice of a baguette and cheese melted on top and white wine in the soup. Now I am getting hungry.
ReplyDeleteThat is one gorgeous soup bowl. Good luck!
ReplyDeletebeaustiful dish set!!
ReplyDeleteI think a nice mini wonton soup or miso would be light and refreshing and be "tea-like" if that is a direction you'd like to take as well... and would go nicely with the colouring!!
Otherwise, bne adventurous and try a new soup each week & see how you like it!! foodtv.ca has many yummy recipes!!
What a beautiful soup bowl. I always get complements on a white chicken chili that came from Taste of Home. I'll be glad to email the recipe if you would like.
ReplyDeleteThere is a wonderful spinach/chicken soup. In my WW cookbook. Pretty simple.
ReplyDeleteAvgolemono Chicken Soup.
4 cups chicken stock/broth
1/2 lb skinless boneless chicken breast
2 large eggs
1/4 cup lemon juice
1(10 oz) box frozen chopped spinach
thawed & squeezed dry.
2 cups cooked rice
salt and pepper to taste
Bring broth and chicken to a boil in large saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer till chicken is cooked, 5-7 min. Shred chicken when cool.
In medium bowl whisk eggs and lemon juice till frothy. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of hot broth.
Add spinach to pan & bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, stir in the cooked rice. Slowly add the egg-stock mixture, whisking constantly to avoid curdling. Continue whisking till thickened, 3 min, do not boil. Stir in the chicken and heat to serving temp. So good & light.
1/4 of soup (Makes 4 servings) 261 calories, 5 ww pts.
Very pretty soup bowl. I have never seen one like it.
Any soup would taste good in that lovely bowl. It is just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSusan B.
That bowl is lovely, with such a pretty color and design.
ReplyDeleteI have a cream of zucchini soup that is delicious and the pale green would look lovely in that bowl. The Soup-Off at the office sounds like fun - good luck. BTW your veggie minestrone looks yummy.
Dear Angela, what a delicious looking soup & gorgeous bowl! Years ago, in my 'Missouri Days,' I spent two college Christmas breaks working in the China & Crystal Department at Dillards.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot of fun (and that's where my interest in collecting china began). My boss was very happy when I sold a set of 14 Wedgewood soup bowls and a covered serving piece to one of our regular customers - it was a beautiful set! Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend, Joanie
Wow - look what happens when I don't read blogs for a week! You give away awesome prizes and I miss out!
ReplyDeleteI have a soup for you next year - an amazing "sophisitcated" chicken soup. I can't remember what it's called, but it's in the Hay Day Country Market Cookbook. Ingredients are chicken, rice, fennel, granny smith apple, coconut milk, and mango chutney. It's a little spicy and a little sweet and altogether amazing! Email me if you want the recipe and I'll copy it down for you (semperlaeta at yahoo).
HELP - were these double handled cups ever used for tea???? THANKS!
ReplyDeleteFrom what I understand, no, these were never used for tea -- they just look like it! And one of my reader friends says (and I believe she is right) that these are known as "cream soup bowls," which makes sense because they are really just too dainty/fragile for thicker, heartier soups.
ReplyDeleteThat is go beautiful and does look hand painted- would love to know how to paint like that!
ReplyDelete